CN112116036A

CN112116036A - Patient support device tracking system

Info

Publication number: CN112116036A
Application number: CN202010565435.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: N·布坎南; M·R·孟提尼; G·香农; B·费斯克; R·L·威廉森
Original assignee: Hill Rom Services Inc
Current assignee: Hill Rom Services Inc
Priority date: 2019-06-19
Filing date: 2020-06-19
Publication date: 2020-12-22
Also published as: US11664122B2; US20200402654A1; EP3754667A1

Abstract

A patient support device tracking system includes at least one of a frame, a mattress, and a mattress cover. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag may be embedded within at least one of the frame, the mattress, and the mattress cover. The RFID tag may include an identification memory unit including read-only sequencing prefix data corresponding to one of the frame, mattress, and mattress cover, and a service memory unit including a read/write configuration including a greater amount of digital storage than the identification memory unit. The RFID tag may be configured to receive a configurable device update log into the service memory unit and to transmit the device update log and the ordering prefix from the identification memory unit to the controller via the reader device.

Description

Patient support device tracking system

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to patient support device tracking systems and, more particularly, to patient support device tracking systems having radio frequency identification tags.

Disclosure of Invention

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a patient support device tracking system includes a first mattress cover including a first Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. The first RFID-tag comprises a first identification memory unit comprising first identity data for the first mattress cover. The first identity data comprises an ordering prefix and a sequence number. The first RFID tag also includes a first service memory unit that includes first service data corresponding to a service performed on the first mattress cover. The second mattress cover includes a second RFID tag. The second RFID tag comprises a second identification memory unit comprising second identity data for the second mattress cover. The second identity data comprises a different ordering prefix and sequence number than the first identity data in the first RFID tag. The second RFID tag also includes a second service memory unit that includes second service data corresponding to a service performed on the second mattress cover. The controller is configured to: singulating each of the first and second RFID tags with an ordering prefix from the first and second identification memory units; writing the device update to the first service memory unit and the second service memory unit; and transmitting the device status of each of the first and second mattress covers to one of the display and the remote device based on the first and second identity data for the first and second mattress covers.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a patient support device tracking system includes at least one of a frame, a mattress, and a mattress cover. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag is embedded within at least one of the frame, the mattress, and the mattress cover. The RFID tag includes an identification memory unit including read-only sequencing prefix data corresponding to one of the frame, mattress, and mattress cover, and a service memory unit having a read/write configuration including a greater amount of digital storage than the identification memory unit. The RFID tag is configured to receive a configurable device update log into the service memory unit and to transmit the device update log and the ordering prefix from the identification memory unit to the controller via the reader device.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a patient support device tracking system includes a first mattress cover including a first Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. The first RFID tag comprises a first identification memory unit comprising first fixed data corresponding to the identity of the first mattress cover and a first service memory unit comprising first configurable data corresponding to a service performed on the first mattress cover. The second mattress cover includes a second RFID tag. The second RFID tag comprises a second identification memory unit comprising second fixed data corresponding to the identity of the second mattress cover. The second fixed data in the second RFID tag is different from the first fixed data in the first RFID tag. The second service memory unit includes second configurable data corresponding to services performed on the second mattress cover. The first RFID tag and the second RFID tag are configured to transmit first fixed data and second fixed data and first configurable data and second configurable data via the controller. The first and second configurable data are processed based on the identity of the first and second mattress covers.

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

Drawings

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a patient support apparatus in accordance with various aspects described herein;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a patient support apparatus tracking system for the patient support apparatus of FIG. 1, in accordance with various aspects described herein;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of tracking a patient support apparatus wash status in accordance with various aspects described herein; and

fig. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of tracking a life state of a patient support apparatus in accordance with various aspects described herein.

Detailed Description

The presently illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a patient support apparatus tracking system. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Further, like numbers in the description and drawings indicate like elements.

For purposes of the description herein, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," "left," "rear," "front," "vertical," "horizontal," and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in fig. 1. Unless otherwise specified, the term "front" refers to the surface of the device closest to the intended viewer and the term "back" refers to the surface of the device furthest from the intended viewer. However, it is to be understood that the disclosure may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element preceded by "comprising … …" does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

Referring to fig. 1-2, reference numeral 10 generally designates a patient support apparatus tracking system including at least one of a frame 14, a mattress 18 and a mattress cover 22. The frame 14, mattress 18 and mattress cover 22 may be parts of a patient support device 26, and the patient support device 26 may be in the form of a bed. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag 30 is embedded within at least one of the frame 14, mattress 18, and mattress cover 22. The RFID tag 30 includes a first memory unit 34 and a second memory unit 38, the first memory unit 34 including a sequencing prefix. The RFID tag 30 is configured to receive device updates into the second memory unit 38. Further, the patient support device tracking system 10 is configured to singulate the RFID tag 30 by communicating the ordering prefix from the first memory unit 34 to the controller 42 via the reader apparatus 46.

Referring now to fig. 1, the patient support apparatus 26 may comprise a hospital bed. Although described as a patient support device 26, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that the patient support device 26 may include a bed frame, mattress, or any suitable structure for supporting a patient, including but not limited to: other types of beds, operating tables, examination tables, stretchers, etc.

In some examples, the frame 14 may be in the form of a base frame 14, and the upper frame 50 may be coupled with the base frame 14. The upper frame 50 is operable between raised, lowered and tilted positions relative to the base frame 14. The patient support device 26 may include a surface, which may be formed by the mattress 18, supported by one of the base frame 14 and the upper frame 50. The mattress 18 may be in the form of a cushion including a foam base and a plurality of layers, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, the mattress 18 may not include a foam matrix. In some examples, air bladders, springs, beads, gels, etc. may be included in the mattress 18. The bladder may be in the form of air or foam. Additionally, the mattress 18 may include elements such as air compressors, hoses, electronic components and valves, material fire barriers, and the like.

The mattress 18 may be wrapped in a mattress cover 22 and the mattress cover 22 may be removed from the mattress 18 for cleaning and/or replacement of the mattress cover 22. In some aspects, the mattress 18 includes more than one mattress cover 22, and the mattress cover 22 may include a first or top cover 23 and a second or bottom cover 24. The bottom cover 24 may be positioned below the top mattress cover 23 such that the bottom mattress cover 24 is disposed between the top mattress cover 23 and the mattress 18. In some examples, the bottom mattress cover 24 is made of a different material than the top mattress cover 23. For example, the bottom mattress cover 24 may comprise a waterproof or water-resistant material (i.e., a vinyl material), while the top mattress cover 23 comprises an air-permeable material (i.e., a cotton material). The patient support apparatus 26 may also include a sheet for covering the mattress 18 and/or mattress cover 22.

The patient support apparatus 26 may include a head end 54 and a foot end 58. A headboard 62 may be provided at the head end 54 and a foot rest 66 may be provided at the foot end 58. The patient support apparatus 26 may include a pair of head bed side panel assemblies 70 and a pair of foot bed side panel assemblies 74. In some examples, the graphical user interface 78 may be coupled to an exterior side of at least one of the head bed side panel assembly 70 and the foot bed side panel assembly 74.

As shown in fig. 1, the patient support device tracking system 10 may include a plurality of RFID tags 30. The RFID tag 30 may be embedded in the mattress 18. RFID tags 82 may be embedded in mattress covers 22, 23, and 24. RFID tag 86 may be embedded in frame 14. However, in some examples, the RFID tag 30 may be coupled with any component of the patient support apparatus 26. For example, the RFID tag 30 may be coupled with the head and/or foot bed

side panel assemblies

70, 74 or a sheet covering the mattress 18. The RFID tags 30, 82, and 86 may be used alone or in combination with one another.

Referring to fig. 2, the controller 42 may communicate with the reader device 46 to collect input from the RFID tags 30, 82, 86, process the input, and generate an output in response to the input. In some examples, the controller 42 may be in the form of a microcontroller and may include one or more Central Processing Units (CPUs) or microprocessors, memory, and/or programmable input/output ports. Inputs may be provided to the controller 42 from the plurality of RFID tags 30, 82, 86. Accordingly, the reader device 46 may be in the form of an RFID reader configured to transmit a signal to at least one of the plurality of RFID tags 30, 82, 86 and read a response. In some examples, the reader device 46 is a passive reader that receives only signals from the plurality of RFID tags 30, 82, 86. In other examples, the reader device 46 is an active reader that transmits an interrogator signal and receives a response from at least one of the plurality of RFID tags 30, 82, 86. The controller 42 may read, convert, or analyze the input and determine the data to be written to the plurality of RFID tags 30, 82, 86.

The reader device 46 may be in the form of a portable or stationary device that may include a display 90 and user input buttons. Additionally, the display 90 may be in the form of a touch screen or similar user interface configured to accept user input. In some examples, the reader device 46 may be used to track usage and status indications for a washing or disinfecting process associated with the patient support apparatus 26 or an associated service center. In these cases, the reader device 46 may be implemented to automatically scan or interrogate the RFID tags 30, 82, 86. The controller 42 may analyze data corresponding to the RFID tags 30, 82, 86 and control the display 90 to display the data. In some examples, the controller 42 communicates with the remote device 94 via a network 98 such as the internet, a hospital wireless infrastructure such as an Electronic Medical Record (EMR), an ethernet network, or the like. Controller 42 may communicate with network 98 via a wireless communication protocol (e.g., Wide Area Network (WAN), Wi-Fi, bluetooth low energy, Zigbee, etc.) and/or a wired communication (e.g., ethernet) or any other suitable data exchange technique. As such, the reader device 46 may be configured to report or output data to the remote device 94. In this configuration, the controller 42 may be configured to store and update the status of particular components having the RFID tags 30, 82, 86 via the network 98. The remote device 94 may be in the form of a personal computer, mobile computing device, or the like.

The

RFID tag

30, 82, 86 may include a first memory unit 34 and a second memory unit 38. However, in some examples, the

RFID tag

30, 82, 86 may include any number of memory units, which may include only a single memory unit 38 or three or more memory units. For example, the RFID tags 30, 82, 86 may also include a tag identifier store 36 having approximately 160 bits of memory. The first memory unit 34 may be in the form of an identification memory unit that includes fixed identity data corresponding to the identity of the components of the patient support apparatus 26. In examples where the patient support device tracking system 10 includes first and second RFID tags (i.e., 30, 82), the patient support device tracking system 10 includes respective first and second identification memory units 34. In some aspects, the first memory unit 34 is in the form of an Electronic Product Code (EPC) memory unit or bank that includes identification data, such as a sorting prefix, a serial number or product ID, and a date of manufacture. The serial number may include a date of manufacture. The identification data may be read by the controller 42 to identify the components of the patient support device 26 to which the RFID tags 30, 82, 86 are coupled. The ordering prefix may include two digits. In some examples, the first memory unit 34 is read-only, such that identification data stored in the first memory unit 34 cannot be modified by the controller 42, but is not necessarily limited to such a configuration.

Additionally, the first memory unit 34 may include a first amount of digital memory, which may be at least 96 bits of memory. The sorted prefix may be read by the reader device 46 and may be analyzed by the controller 42 to singulate the RFID tags 30, 82, 86 for identifying the RFID tags 30, 82, 86. As such, the ordering prefix may distinguish a particular RFID tag (e.g.,

RFID tag

30, 82, 86) from the various RFID tags that may be used with the patient support device tracking system 10 or an associated tracking system implemented in the same location or facility. Accordingly, the components of the patient support device 26 having the RFID tags 30, 82, 86 may be identified for inventory purposes.

In some examples, the ordering prefix may indicate that the

RFID tag

30, 82, 86 corresponds to a component manufactured by a particular company. A serial number or product ID may be set so that the reader device 46 may be configured to locate and identify a particular device within a facility. The manufacturing date may be used to determine the end of life, warranty period, and/or expiration date of the product of at least one of the frame 14, mattress 18, and mattress cover 22. In this way, the patient support device tracking system 10 may identify and track products/components of the patient support device 26 that may require scheduled maintenance, replacement, recovery, and/or renewal. In some examples, the manufacturing date may be programmed in a hexadecimal digital system so that the controller 42 can read the manufacturing date without conversion. In addition, data stored in the first memory unit 34 may be displayed on the display 90 and/or output to a remote device 94. In this way, the remote device 94 may provide access by a user to the identity or location of a particular component having an

RFID tag

30, 82, 86. The position of the component may indicate that the component is in a storage state or a use state.

The second memory unit 38 may be in the form of a user or programmable memory bank that may be configured to record or store data, such as device updates, written into the RFID tags 30, 82, 86. Thus, the second memory cell 38 may be in the form of a read/write memory cell to facilitate programmable operation. In this configuration, a user may provide an input to controller 42 that prompts controller 42 to write data to second memory unit 38. As such, the second memory unit 38 may be in the form of a service memory unit that includes configurable data corresponding to services performed on components of the patient support apparatus 26. In examples where the patient support device tracking system 10 includes first and second RFID tags (i.e., 30, 82), the patient support device tracking system 10 includes respective first and second service memory units 38. The second memory unit 38 may include a second amount of digital memory that may be greater than the first amount of digital memory in the first memory unit 34. In some examples, second memory unit 38 includes more than 500 bits or up to 8 kbytes of memory or more. The device update or device status may include a log of the type of service performed and the corresponding date/time, cleaning cycle date/time, maintenance date/time, count, etc. For example, the count may include the total number of times the component of the patient support apparatus 26 having the

RFID tag

30, 82, 86 is in the service center. In another example, the count may include a total number of wash cycles performed on the components of the patient support apparatus 26 having the RFID tags 30, 82, 86.

The user may prompt the reader device 46 to write a device update to the

RFID tag

30, 82, 86. Alternatively, the reader device 46 may automatically write device updates to the RFID tags 30, 82, 86. As such, the reader device 46 may be configured to locate or identify devices or components of the patient support apparatus 26 (e.g., the frame 14, mattress 18, and mattress cover 22) that require scheduled maintenance, cleaning cycles, and/or service. The data included in the second memory unit 38 may be displayed on the display 90 and/or output to a remote device 94. Thus, the remote device 94 may provide access to the identity or location of the particular component having the

RFID tag

30, 82, 86, the

RFID tag

30, 82, 86 identifying the maintenance, cleaning cycle, status of recovery, and/or particular equipment updates performed or required. In some examples, data included in the first memory unit 34 and/or the second memory unit 38 of the plurality of RFID tags 30, 82, 86 may be displayed on the display 90 and/or output to the remote device 94.

Fig. 3 illustrates a method 100 of tracking patient support device 26 device updates (e.g., purge status). The method 100 may begin at step 110 where a user may input a selection to the reader device 46 instructing the reader device 46 to query the RFID tag for wash cycle information at step 110. The wash cycle information may include a date/time and a cycle type, but is not limited to such examples. Next, at step 112, the reader device 46 may transmit an encoded radio signal to interrogate the RFID tags 30, 82, 86. At step 114, the

RFID tag

30, 82, 86 receives the message and may respond with information including its sequencing prefix and/or sequence number, which may be stored in the first memory unit 34 and communicated to the controller 42. Additionally, the RFID tags 30, 82, 86 may respond with information including a log of one or more recent wash cycles, which may be stored in the second memory unit 38 and communicated to the controller 42. In some examples, the reader device 46 may distinguish between several RFID tags that may be within range of the reader device 46 and read them simultaneously.

At step 116, the controller 42 of the reader device 46 determines whether the last wash cycle timing for a particular tag (e.g., the RFID tag 82 embedded in the mattress cover 22) is above or below a threshold. The threshold may correspond to a unit of time, such as a week, a month, 90 days, etc. Controller 42 may use the current date information to compare with the last wash cycle timing information to determine whether the last wash cycle timing was above or below a threshold. If the last wash cycle timing is above the threshold, the controller 42 may determine that the status of the components of the patient support apparatus 26 corresponding to the RFID tags 30, 82, 86 are in need of recovery or maintenance (e.g., dirty) and may control the display 90 to indicate a dirty or in need of service status at step 118. In some aspects, the threshold is determined based on the identity of the component of the patient support apparatus 26 having the particular tag. The dirty status and/or cleaning cycle timing log may then be output by the controller 42 to the remote device 94 at step 120. If the last wash cycle timing is below the threshold, the controller 42 may determine that the status of the components of the patient support apparatus 26 identified by the RFID tags 30, 82, 86 are clean and may control the display 90 to indicate a clean status at step 122. At step 124, the cleaning status and/or the rinse cycle timing log may be output by the controller 42 to the remote device 94.

Fig. 4 illustrates a method 200 of tracking patient support device 26 device updates (e.g., lifetime status). Method 200 may begin at step 210 where a user may input a selection to reader device 46 instructing reader device 46 to query the RFID tag for device life information at step 210. Next, at step 212, the reader device 46 may transmit an encoded radio signal to interrogate the

RFID tag

30, 82, 86. At step 214, the

RFID tag

30, 82, 86 receives the message and may respond with information including its sequencing prefix and/or serial number and its date of manufacture, which may be accessed from the first memory unit 34 and communicated to the controller 42. In some examples, the reader device 46 may distinguish between several RFID tags that may be within range of the reader device 46 and read them simultaneously. At step 216, the controller 42 of the reader device 46 determines whether the device life value for a particular tag (e.g., the RFID tag 30 embedded in the mattress 18) is above or below a threshold value. The threshold may correspond to a time unit, such as 90 days, 1 year, or 3 years, etc. In some aspects, the threshold is determined based on the identity of the component of the patient support apparatus 26 having the particular tag. For example, the threshold of bottom housing 24 may be higher than the threshold of top housing 23. Furthermore, the threshold value of the mattress 18 may be higher than the threshold values of both the top cover 23 and the bottom cover 24.

Controller 42 may use the current date information to compare to the date of manufacture to determine whether the device life value is above or below the threshold. If the device lifetime value is above the threshold, the controller 42 may determine an end-of-life status or identity of the component of the patient support device 26 corresponding to the

RFID tag

30, 82, 86, and may control the display 90 to indicate the end-of-life status at step 218. The end-of-life status and/or manufacturing date may then be output by the controller 42 to the remote device 94 at step 220. If the device life value is below the threshold, the controller 42 may determine an operable status of the components of the patient support device 26 corresponding to the RFID tags 30, 82, 86 and may control the display 90 to indicate the operable status at step 222. At step 224, the feasibility status and/or the date of manufacture may be output by the controller 42 to the remote device 94.

Although the

methods

100 and 200 have been described as including the

steps

110 and 210, respectively, 124, it is within the scope of the present disclosure to include additional or fewer steps for tracking the patient support device 26 device or related components. For example, steps 110 and 210 may not be included in which the user enters a selection into the reader device 46. Further, the output from the RFID tags 30, 82, 86 may be displayed on the reader device at both step 122 and step 218, or may be combined output to the remote device 94 at step 120, step 124, step 220, and step 224.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a patient support device tracking system may include at least one of a frame, a mattress, and a mattress cover. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag may be embedded within at least one of the frame, the mattress, and the mattress cover. The RFID tag may have a first memory unit including a sorting prefix and a second memory unit. The RFID tag may be configured to receive the device update into the second memory unit and to singulate the RFID tag by transmitting the ordering prefix from the first memory unit to the controller via the reader device.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, the device update is an indication of the cleaning cycle timing.

According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, the device update is an indication to maintain service timing.

According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, the first memory unit is an Electronic Product Code (EPC) memory unit.

According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, the controller is in communication with the remote device and is configured to output data from the second memory unit to the remote device.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the controller is configured to read the plurality of RFID tags and output data corresponding to the plurality of RFID tags to a remote device.

According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, the controller is configured to display data from the second memory unit on the reader device display to indicate a device update for the RFID tag.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, the controller is configured to read the plurality of RFID tags and display data corresponding to the plurality of RFID tags on the reader device display to indicate device updates for the plurality of RFID tags.

According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, the controller is configured to identify an expiration status of at least one of the frame, the mattress, and the mattress cover.

According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, at least one of the frame, the mattress and the mattress cover is a mattress cover.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, controllers, and circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), a general purpose processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) or other logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, state machine, or the like. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the present disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present inventions have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connectors or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or components of the system may be constructed of any of a variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present inventions.

It will be understood that any of the described processes or steps may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present disclosure, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

Claims

1. A patient support device tracking system, comprising:

a first mattress cover comprising:

a first Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag comprising a first identification memory unit comprising first identity data for the first mattress cover, wherein the first identity data comprises a sequencing prefix and a serial number; and

a first service memory unit including first service data corresponding to a service performed on the first mattress cover;

a second mattress cover comprising:

a second RFID tag comprising a second identification memory unit comprising second identity data for the second mattress cover, wherein the second identity data comprises a different ordering prefix and sequence number than the first identity data in the first RFID tag; and

a second service memory unit comprising second service data corresponding to services performed on the second mattress cover; and

a controller configured to:

singulating each of the first and second RFID tags using the ordering prefixes from the first and second identification memory units;

writing a device update to the first service memory unit and the second service memory unit; and

transmitting a device status of each of the first and second mattress covers to one of a display and a remote device in accordance with the first and second identity data for the first and second mattress covers.

2. The patient support device tracking system of claim 1, wherein the first identification memory unit and the second identification memory unit include a first amount of digital storage and the first service memory unit and the second service memory unit include a second amount of digital storage, the second amount of digital storage being greater than the first amount of digital storage.

3. The patient support device tracking system of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the controller is further configured to:

reading device update logs in the first RFID tag and the second RFID tag;

determining a last wash cycle timing for each of the first and second mattress covers;

determining whether the last wash cycle timing for each of the first and second mattress covers is above a threshold, wherein the threshold is determined based on the first and second identity data for the first and second mattress covers;

communicating a dirty device status of any of the first and second mattress covers that is above the threshold for a most recent wash cycle timing to one of the display and the remote device; and

communicating a cleaning apparatus status of any one of the first and second mattress covers for which a most recent wash cycle timing was below the threshold to one of the display and the remote device.

4. The patient support apparatus tracking system of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to read a plurality of RFID tags and output data corresponding to the plurality of RFID tags to the remote device in combination.

5. The patient support device tracking system of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to read a plurality of RFID tags and control the display to simultaneously display data corresponding to the plurality of RFID tags, the data indicating device status for the plurality of RFID tags.

6. The patient support device tracking system of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the controller is further configured to:

reading the first identity data and the second identity data;

determining a device life value for each of the first and second mattress covers from the first identity data and the second identification data;

determining whether the device life span value for each of the first and second mattress covers is above a threshold, wherein the threshold is determined based on the first and second identity data for the first and second mattress covers; and

transmitting an end-of-life device status for one of the first and second mattress covers for which a device life value is above the threshold to one of the display and the remote apparatus.

7. A patient support device tracking system, comprising:

at least one of a frame, a mattress, and a mattress cover; and

a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag embedded within the at least one of the frame, the mattress, and the mattress cover, the RFID tag comprising:

identifying a memory unit comprising read-only sequencing prefix data corresponding to one of the frame, the mattress, and the mattress cover; and

a service memory unit comprising a read/write configuration comprising a greater amount of digital storage than the identification memory unit, wherein the RFID tag is configured to:

receiving a configurable device update log into the service memory unit; and

communicating the ordering prefix and the device update log from the identified memory location to a controller via a reader device.

8. The patient support device tracking system of claim 7, wherein the identification memory unit is an Electronic Product Code (EPC) memory unit.

9. The patient support device tracking system of claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the identification memory unit further comprises:

a serial number and a manufacturing date corresponding to the at least one of the frame, the mattress, and the mattress cover.

10. The patient support apparatus tracking system of claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the apparatus update is an indication of a cleaning cycle timing.

11. The patient support apparatus tracking system of claim 10, wherein the at least one of the frame, the mattress, and the mattress cover is a mattress cover.

12. The patient support device tracking system of claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the device update is an indication of maintenance service timing.

13. The patient support apparatus tracking system of claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to read a plurality of RFID tags and output data corresponding to the plurality of RFID tags to a remote device in combination.

14. The patient support device tracking system of claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to read a plurality of RFID tags and control a reader apparatus display to simultaneously display data corresponding to the plurality of RFID tags, the data indicating device updates for the plurality of RFID tags.

15. A patient support device tracking system, comprising:

a first mattress cover comprising a first radio frequency identification, RFID, tag, the first RFID tag comprising a first identification memory unit comprising first fixed data corresponding to an identity of the first mattress cover and a first service memory unit comprising first configurable data corresponding to a service performed on the first mattress cover; and

a second mattress cover comprising a second RFID tag comprising a second identification memory unit and a second service memory unit, the second identification memory unit comprising second fixed data corresponding to an identity of the second mattress cover, the second fixed data in the second RFID tag being different from the first fixed data in the first RFID tag, the second service memory unit comprising second configurable data corresponding to a service performed on the second mattress cover;

wherein the first and second RFID tags are configured to transmit the first and second fixed data and the first and second configurable data via a controller, and wherein the first and second configurable data are processed based on the identity of the first and second mattress covers.

16. The patient support device tracking system of claim 15, wherein the first identification memory unit and the second identification memory unit include a first amount of digital storage and the first service memory unit and the second service memory unit include a second amount of digital storage, the second amount of digital storage being greater than the first amount of digital storage, wherein the first service memory unit and the second service memory unit are configured to store a device update log.

17. The patient support device tracking system of claim 15, wherein the first and second fixed data comprise a sequencing prefix, a serial number, and a manufacturing date identifying the first and second mattress covers.

18. The patient support apparatus tracking system of any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the first and second configurable data written to the service memory unit include an indication of a purge cycle timing.

19. The patient support apparatus tracking system of any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the controller is configured to:

reading the first configurable data and the second configurable data stored in the first RFID tag and the second RFID tag;

determining whether the last wash cycle timing for each of the first and second mattress covers is above a threshold, wherein the threshold is determined based on the identity of the first and second mattress covers; and

communicating a dirty device status of any of the first and second mattress covers that was timed above the threshold for a last wash cycle to one of a display and a remote device.

20. The patient support apparatus tracking system of claim 19, wherein the first mattress cover comprises a breathable material and the second mattress cover comprises a waterproof material, and the threshold value corresponding to the first mattress cover is less than the threshold value corresponding to the second mattress cover.